AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You, too.” She passed her cake box over the counter, reminding Libby she should probably pay. As she reached for her purse, Rachel put up her hand to stop her. “Oh, no, your money’s no good here. This one’s on me.”
“No, I can’t,” Libby insisted. “Thank you, but I can’t. Please let me pay.”
“Nope, sorry – you’re Cynthia’s niece. Cynthia’s niece eats for free. End of discussion.” As if to make her point, Rachel shook her head so vehemently her ponytail whipped her cheeks.
Now she felt awkward. She’d always had difficulty accepting things. Whether it be compliments or gifts, it always felt odd. Like she should do or say something equally nice until they were even. Nothing was free in this life.
The woman standing across from her obviously picked up on her discomfort because she beat her to a reply. “How ‘bout in return, you buy me a drink?”
Rachel was just full of surprises. “A drink?”
Cat’s reality check was still fresh in her mind; she did need to get out more and make some friends. She just didn’t think it would be this easy. Or happen so quickly.
“Yeah, a drink. Preferably alcoholic. I close early on Sundays. How does five sound, at the Tipsy Cow?”
Wow. The Tipsy Cow really was a popular place. Looks like she would be frequenting it twice in as many days this week.
“Okay, yeah. That sounds good. Five at the Tipsy Cow. I’ll see you then.” Cradling the cake box against her dress, she offered up a final smile before stumbling out of the door.
That was enough socialising for one day. Time to go back to her cave and eat cake.
***
It was Friday night, and the Tipsy Cow was, ironically, full of tipsy cowboys. Old boys surrounded the wooden bar while younger men gathered around high-top tables.
But it wasn’t a typical cowboy bar. She’d even go as far to say that it was quirky. The first thing that had caught her eye when she’d arrived was the absurd amount of neon signs filling the walls. Each sign more random than the next. Her favorite was the pineapple. What an illuminated pineapple was doing next to a blue and pink lit alien she had no idea, but she was digging it.
“Wanna dance?” Zach smirked.
Fuck no.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Libby slurped on her diet soda, willing her body to damn well control itself.
Zach looked irritatingly hot tonight. More so than usual if that was possible. He wore a crisp white shirt that practically molded to every perfect contour of his chest. She already knew she was in dangerous territory when he picked her up. Throw in a dance, with the possibility of touching him again and she might actually cry.
“And why is that?” The mischievous glint in his eye told her he was more than aware of the answer.
“Friends don’t slow dance, Zach.”
“My friends do.”
“Okay. Fine. Next time I catch you and Benny swaying up a storm on the dance floor, I’ll consider dancing with you.”
A husky snigger caused shivers to race down her arms. Damnit. “What are you so afraid of?”
Nothing. Everything. Libby was sure she’d never wanted a man as much as she wanted this one. But maybe the appeal was only because she couldn’t have him.
“I think it’s important that we have some sort of boundaries.” She cleared her suddenly dry throat. “Especially after what happened the other night.”
Zach hummed to himself, his expression turning more serious as he took her in. Just as she started to squirm at his attention, he spoke again. “You mean after I was wedged between your thighs, enjoying the best damn kiss of my life?”
Jesus Christ. There was no smile. No smirk. No trace of humour lacing those words as his big blue eyes seeped into her skin.
Libby darted her gaze to the drink in front of her. He made her feel so stupidly unbalanced; it was getting to be a problem. She needed to take a moment. She did so by staring at her fingers as they swiped over the condensation covering her glass, trying her hardest to ignore the now very charged silence that hung heavily in the air.
“Princess.” She watched as his fingers curled around her own. “Look at me.” When she didn’t comply with his request, he softened his voice. “Please?”
After one deep exhale, their eyes met again. The way he was looking at her was intoxicating.
